AMAA 2024: Key Nominees and What to Expect

The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), established in 2005 by the visionary Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, has grown into one of the continent’s most celebrated events, honoring the best of African filmmaking and talent.

Often regarded as the African equivalent of the Oscars, the AMAA showcases an impressive variety of genres, storytellers, and creative voices that embody Africa’s cinematic identity.

As the 2024 ceremony approaches, scheduled for November 2, fans and industry insiders alike are keeping an eye on this year’s strong field of nominees, many of whom have already made waves in other festivals or platforms.

This year, standout contenders span several categories, from Best Film by an African Language to Best Actress in a Leading Role, hinting at a night filled with excitement and anticipation.

Ousmane Sembene Award For Best Film By An African Language

In the category of Best Film by an African Language, nominees bring their unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds to the fore, with works like “Jagun Jagun” from Nigeria and “Makula” from Uganda leading the charge.

Femi Adebayo’s “Jagun Jagun” has already left its mark, winning Best Indigenous Language Movie at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), and its richly detailed portrayal of Yoruba mythology has captivated audiences. Its almost perfect world-building and historical drama set it apart, blending engaging storytelling with a celebration of Yoruba culture.

Last year, “Anikulapo”, another Yoruba epic, won in this category, highlighting the AMAA’s appreciation for films that explore African language and heritage. Whether “Jagun Jagun” can continue this trend remains to be seen, but its previous accolades certainly make it a strong contender.

Award For Achievement In Make-Up

The Achievement in Makeup category sees an exciting mix of genres, including psychological thrillers and dramas. Among the nominees, “The Weekend” stands out for its dark, atmospheric tones that are visually compelling and technically impressive. With a similar aesthetic to Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice”, “The Weekend” uses makeup not just to enhance characters but to add a surreal element that shapes its eerie tone.

Last year, Nigeria’s “Mami Wata” took home this award for its distinctive monochrome style and character-driven makeup, which emphasized mood and texture. Whether “The Weekend” can similarly captivate the AMAA judges will be worth watching, but the competition remains tough, with equally detailed work seen in films like “Out of Breath” and “Jagun Jagun”.

Achievement In Costume Design

In the costume design category, “Jagun Jagun” makes another appearance. Here, its use of traditional Yoruba aesthetics, from royal attire to  the warrior outfits crafted with earthy tones and animal skins, has set it apart.

Costume designer Lola Awe previously won at the AMVCA, underscoring the meticulous effort put into crafting a look that transports viewers to a different era.

Competing films like “The Queenstown Kings” from South Africa and “Mai Martaba” bring their own cultural richness to the table, showcasing costumes that define and elevate the characters they adorn. The diversity within this category reflects the AMAA’s celebration of African heritage through fashion and history.

Award For Achievement In Production Design

For Best Achievement in Production Design, “Jagun Jagun” once again emerges as a major contender. Its vast sets, inspired by traditional Yoruba kingdoms, create an immersive viewing experience.

Nigerian cinema has been seeing rising attention to set design in recent years, with “Anikulapo” winning in this category last year. Other nominees like “The Queenstown Kings” and “Out of Breath” have also pushed the envelope, each presenting a nuanced world that feels authentic and rooted in their respective stories. The production designs in this category highlight how African filmmakers are increasingly investing in visual authenticity, adding depth and realism to the narratives they bring to the screen.

National Film and Video Censors Board Award For Best Nigerian Film

The National Film and Video Censors Board Award for Best Nigerian Film is always a competitive category, and this year is no exception. Among the contenders, “Mai Martaba” stands out for its deep dive into Northern Nigerian traditions, offering audiences a look into royal history and power struggles.

The film has already been chosen by the Nigerian Official Selection Committee for the Oscars, a stand alone proof to its storytelling prowess and cultural impact. Last year’s winner, “Mami Wata”, captivated audiences with its monochromatic cinematography and traditional folklore narrative, setting a high standard for films in this category. Whether “Mai Martaba” can capture a similar level of acclaim remains to be seen, but it certainly has the momentum.

Best Actress in a Leading Role

This year’s Best Actress in a Leading Role category features a range of powerful performances. Jackie Appiah, a perennial AMAA favorite, is nominated for her role in “Red Carpet”, where her portrayal of a celebrity grappling with the demands of fame resonated with audiences. But a fierce competitor comes in the form of Uzoamaka Aniunoh, whose performance in “The Weekend” combines emotional depth with nuanced body language, delivering a memorable character without the need for many words. Last year, Nse Ikpe-Etim took the award for her role in “4-4-44”, demonstrating the AMAAs’ preference for layered performances that leave an emotional impact. While Jackie’s established track record could give her an edge, Uzoamaka’s role is one of the standout performances of the year.

Best Actor in a Leading Role:

The Best Actor in a Leading Role category is filled with iconic figures and emerging talents. Chidi Mokeme’s gripping portrayal in “Out of Breath” showcases his versatility as an actor, bringing both intensity and vulnerability to the role. His reputation as a seasoned actor in Nollywood gives him a strong standing, but he faces competition from Gabriel Afolayan, whose role in “This is Lagos” continues to show his range and dedication to character development. The award went to Tobi Bakre last year for “Brotherhood”, an action-packed performance that emphasized raw emotion and intensity, setting a high standard. Whether Mokeme’s industry experience or Afolayan’s fresh take will win over the jury is a question only the ceremony can answer.

Best Director Category

In the Best Director category, Daniel Emeke Oriahi’s work on “The Weekend” has garnered significant attention, with a directorial style that skillfully balances suspense and psychological tension. This genre is still rare in Nollywood, making his film a unique addition to Nigerian cinema. Last year, Apolline Traore took the award for “Sira”, an impactful story that addressed social issues and showcased the director’s vision. Oriahi’s fresh take, however, signals a bold shift towards genre diversity, and his style could appeal to a jury interested in rewarding cinematic innovation. However, veterans like Kenneth Gyang and Izu Ojukwu bring equally strong contenders, each film offering a unique perspective and voice.

Best Film: The Night’s Biggest Prize

Finally, for Best Film, “The Weekend” emerges as a front-runner, having secured multiple nominations across categories. This horror-thriller represents a different narrative style for Nollywood, blending African themes with a genre typically underrepresented in Nigerian cinema. “This is Lagos” and “Under the Hanging Tree” also stand strong, each bringing a unique story that highlights the scope and diversity of African filmmaking. “Xalé”, last year’s winner, celebrated the life and experiences of a young Senegalese girl, setting a powerful example of storytelling that champions humanity and culture. The question remains whether “The Weekend”, with its genre-specific appeal, or one of the more traditional narratives will take home the biggest prize.

With the  2024 AMAA ceremony approaches, the list of nominees offers a compelling mix of promising newcomers and well-established talents, making it clear that African cinema is experiencing a remarkable period of growth and creativity.

While past award trends and recent accolades hint at possible outcomes, the final decisions are always hard to predict. With a field of contenders as strong as this, the AMAA’s choices will undoubtedly spark conversations, fueling anticipation and excitement across the African film community and beyond. Whether they confirm predictions or surprise us, the 2024 AMAA winners are sure to add a new layer to the legacy of African cinema.